Decoder · 56 references
A Rolex reference number identifies the exact model: its collection, case metal and bezel. Type one below to decode it, or browse the list of the most sought-after references with their sizes, movements and production years.
Modern Rolex references follow a consistent pattern. Take 126610LN, the current steel Submariner Date:
| 0 | Oystersteel (stainless steel) |
| 1 | Everose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold) |
| 2 | Rolesium (steel and platinum) |
| 3 | Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold) |
| 4 | White Rolesor (steel and white gold) |
| 5 | 18 ct Everose gold |
| 6 | 950 platinum |
| 8 | 18 ct yellow gold |
| 9 | 18 ct white gold |
| BLNR | Bleu Noir — blue and black bezel ("Batman") |
| BLRO | Bleu Rouge — blue and red bezel ("Pepsi") |
| CHNR | Chocolat Noir — brown and black bezel ("Root Beer") |
| VTNR | Vert Noir — green and black bezel ("Sprite") |
| GRNR | Gris Noir — grey and black bezel |
| LN | Lunette Noire — black bezel |
| LV | Lunette Verte — green bezel |
| LB | Lunette Bleue — blue bezel |
| GV | Glace Verte — green-tinted crystal (Milgauss) |
| M | Modified — an updated version of the same reference |
Key references by collection. Select one for its full specification and the checks to make before buying.
Rolex's dive watch, with or without date, rated to 300 m.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126610LN | Submariner Date | 41 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2020–present |
| 126610LV | Submariner Date | 41 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2020–present |
| 124060 | Submariner (no date) | 41 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2020–present |
| 126613LB | Submariner Date | 41 mm | Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold) | 2020–present |
| 126618LB | Submariner Date | 41 mm | 18 ct yellow gold | 2020–present |
| 116610LN | Submariner Date | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2010–2020 |
| 116610LV | Submariner Date | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2010–2020 |
| 116613LB | Submariner Date | 40 mm | Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold) | 2009–2020 |
| 114060 | Submariner (no date) | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2012–2020 |
| 16610 | Submariner Date | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 1988–2010 |
| 14060M | Submariner (no date) | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 1999–2012 |
Shows a second time zone on a 24-hour bezel; the bezel colours give the nicknames.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126710BLRO | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2018–present |
| 126710BLNR | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2019–present |
| 126711CHNR | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Everose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold) | 2018–present |
| 126720VTNR | GMT-Master II (left-handed) | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2022–present |
| 116710LN | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2007–2019 |
| 116710BLNR | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2013–2019 |
| 16710 | GMT-Master II | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 1989–2007 |
The chronograph, with a tachymeter bezel and three sub-dials.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126500LN | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2023–present |
| 116500LN | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2016–2023 |
| 116520 | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2000–2016 |
| 16520 | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 1988–2000 |
| 126506 | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | 950 platinum | 2023–present |
| 116506 | Cosmograph Daytona | 40 mm | 950 platinum | 2013–2023 |
The classic dress watch with date window and cyclops lens, in 31, 36 and 41 mm.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126300 | Datejust 41 | 41 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2017–present |
| 126334 | Datejust 41 | 41 mm | White Rolesor (steel and white gold) | 2017–present |
| 126333 | Datejust 41 | 41 mm | Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold) | 2016–present |
| 126331 | Datejust 41 | 41 mm | Everose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold) | 2016–present |
| 126200 | Datejust 36 | 36 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2018–present |
| 126234 | Datejust 36 | 36 mm | White Rolesor (steel and white gold) | 2018–present |
| 116234 | Datejust 36 | 36 mm | White Rolesor (steel and white gold) | 2004–2018 |
| 16234 | Datejust 36 | 36 mm | White Rolesor (steel and white gold) | 1988–2004 |
Precious metals only, with the day spelled out in full at 12 o'clock.
A simple, legible three-hand watch with the 3-6-9 dial.
A 42 mm watch with an orange 24-hour hand and fixed 24-hour bezel.
The entry model: time only, no date, smooth bezel.
A deep-diving Submariner sibling rated to 1,220 m, with a helium escape valve.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126600 | Sea-Dweller | 43 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2017–present |
The 44 mm extreme-depth diver, rated to 3,900 m.
A sailing-inspired sports watch with a bidirectional bezel.
Annual calendar and second time zone, set through the Ring Command bezel.
Anti-magnetic watch with a lightning-bolt seconds hand; discontinued in 2023.
| Reference | Model | Size | Metal | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116400GV | Milgauss | 40 mm | Oystersteel (stainless steel) | 2007–2023 |
Engraved on the case between the lugs at 12 o'clock, hidden by the bracelet, and printed on the warranty card. The case and the card should always show the same reference.
The reference identifies the model — every steel Submariner Date made since 2020 is a 126610LN. The serial identifies one individual watch and sits at the 6 o'clock side. Use the serial to date a watch and to check whether it has been reported stolen.
They describe the bezel colour, from French: LN is lunette noire (black), LV lunette verte (green), LB lunette bleue (blue), BLNR bleu-noir (blue and black) and BLRO bleu-rouge (blue and red).
On modern references it is the case metal: 0 steel, 1 Everose Rolesor, 2 Rolesium, 3 yellow Rolesor, 4 white Rolesor, 5 Everose gold, 6 platinum, 8 yellow gold and 9 white gold.
Only partly. A reference that doesn't exist, or that doesn't match the watch's metal, bezel or size, is a strong warning sign. A correct reference proves nothing on its own because counterfeiters copy them — see our fake Rolex checklist.
Enter a serial to see roughly when the watch was made, with the full chart from 1926.
18 checks you can do in minutes, with a clear list of red flags.
Bezel, cyclops, case generations and clasp details.
Fluted bezel metal, reference digits and dial checks.
Chronograph function, sub-dial layout and case back.
Two-colour ceramic bezel and the jumping hour hand.
Precious metals, the full day name and the President bracelet.